Where should found property be announced, and when may it be kept or donated?
2026-10-13
F214 · Selected fatwas
Shaykh Ibn Bāz
الشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز
Original Q&A · Complete published question and answer
Complete exchange as published. The source opens with a follow-up question; the bracketed identification of found property is editorial clarification. The distinction concerning Makkah and Madinah, the owner's later claim, and the final exception for a trivial item are preserved.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
يعني سنة يعرفها؟
الجواب
في مجامع الناس، من له الضالة؟ من له الشاة؟ من له العنز؟ من له الخروف؟ على حسب الحال.
س: خارج المساجد؟
الشيخ: في خارج المساجد نعم.
س: هذا يعم في مكة والمدينة؟
الشيخ: في كل مكان؛ لكن في مكة والمدينة لا تملك، يعرف دائما أو يضعها عند المسلمين، لا تملك. أما غير مكة والمدينة تملك بعد السنة.
س: هل له أن يعرفها عن أبواب المساجد؟
الشيخ: عند أبواب المساجد وفي مجامع الناس..
س: إذا تصدق بقيمتها؟
الشيخ: لا، لا يتصدق بقيمتها إلا بعد التعريف، لا بد يعرف سنة فإذا عرفها سنة وتصدق بعد ذلك فلا بأس، يتصدق، فإذا جاء ربها يغرمها له.
س: ولو كانت شيئا يسيرا؟
الشيخ: الشيء اليسير يعفى عنه.
English translation
English translation prepared for SalafAlSalih.com from the cited Arabic source. It is not an official translation.
Original question
Does that mean he announces it [the found property] for a year?
Answer
In places where people gather: ‘Who has lost something? Who has lost a sheep, a goat, or a ram?’—as appropriate to the situation.
Question: Outside the mosques?
Shaykh: Outside the mosques, yes.
Question: Does this apply in Makkah and Madinah too?
Shaykh: Everywhere. But in Makkah and Madinah it does not become one's property: he continues announcing it or leaves it with the Muslims; he does not acquire ownership of it. Outside Makkah and Madinah, however, it becomes one's property after the year.
Question: May he announce it at mosque entrances?
Shaykh: At mosque entrances and in places where people gather.
Question: What if he gives its value in charity?
Shaykh: No, he may not give its value in charity until after announcing it. He must announce it for a year. If he has done so for a year and then gives it in charity, there is no harm. He may give it in charity, but if its owner comes, he must reimburse him.
Question: Even if it is something small in value?
Shaykh: Something small in value is excused.
Source and editorial notes
Official Ibn Bāz website, fatwa 24171
الموقع الرسمي للشيخ عبد العزيز بن باز
Official Ibn Bāz website
Complete published Arabic question and answer checked against the official source, including follow-up exchanges and closing words where present. Arabic diacritics omitted, directional formatting marks removed and honorific glyphs expanded for display. Source footnotes are kept separate.